* To explore the human experience: Brooks was deeply interested in exploring the emotions, struggles, and triumphs of human life. Her poems often delve into themes of love, loss, racism, poverty, and the search for identity.
* To give voice to the marginalized: Brooks was particularly concerned with giving voice to Black people in America, particularly those living in poverty and facing discrimination. Her poems often focus on the experiences of Black communities in Chicago, her hometown.
* To elevate Black culture: Brooks saw poetry as a way to celebrate and uplift Black culture. She wrote about the beauty of Black music, art, and literature, and she challenged the dominant narratives about Blackness that existed in American society.
* To challenge social injustice: Brooks was a passionate advocate for social justice, and her poems often addressed issues of racism, inequality, and oppression. She used her poetry to challenge the status quo and call for a more just and equitable world.
* To create beauty: Brooks believed that poetry had the power to create beauty and inspire wonder. She wrote poems that were both emotionally resonant and aesthetically pleasing, exploring the richness and complexity of the human experience.
Overall, Gwendolyn Brooks wrote poems to explore the world around her, give voice to the marginalized, challenge social injustices, and create beauty. Her work is a testament to the power of poetry to illuminate human experience, inspire social change, and elevate the human spirit.